September 24, 09

NEWS / Border Patrol Launches Public Education Campaign on Youth Smuggling

Edinburg, Texas — Acting Chief Patrol Agent John C Pfeifer, in collaboration with other federal, local and state law enforcement agencies in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas, yesterday announced a campaign committed to educating high school students of the perils associated with smuggling, and the consequences that befall those who become involved in smuggling.


“Operation Detour” consists of an hour-long presentation that includes videos, slideshows and a question and answer session with a panel of subject matter experts. The participants will explain the various criminal activities associated with drug smuggling.


“Our children are being lured by smugglers and their organizations under the promise of glory, easy money, and the guise of immunity from prosecution,” Pfeifer said. “Operation Detour is an effort to educate our youth of the very real consequences presented by this involvement.”


Participants will include representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, CBP Office of Field Operations as well as other local officials, to include county judges and state representatives.


Operation Detour is scheduled to kick off at Valley View High School Auditorium Friday at 2 p.m. and will cover the southwest border.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09232009_2.xml